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Saturday, February 9, 2008

I didn't write last night because I was at rehearsal. That's right. I said "yes" to being in the play because I'm stupid. Do you know people like this? Maybe you are a person like this.

Will you do this?Yes.

Will you do that?Yes.

Can you help with this?Yep.

Will you volunteer for that?Sure.

Do you mind taking on this project?No problem.

Why do I do this? I thought I'd gotten better at saying "no", but apparently not. I got my editor's notes this week. They were longer than my book. (Just kidding, Beth) Anyway, I have a lot of work to do and now I have to memorize a million lines. I have got to be the dumbest person I know. Well maybe not the dumbest, but I'm definitely in the top ten. Anyway...

You guys thought my kids' fort and snowmen were cool? Check these out! I took the kids to a snow sculpture exhibition/contest tonight. I wish I'd gotten some better pictures, but it was freezing and snowy out there tonight and the kids were turning into popsicles so we quickly looked at the sculptures and left. I ran some errands earlier today and it was warm enough to just wear a sweatshirt. Crazy weather.

The gang

Youthful dreams

Swan (this one was really cool!)

It's What You Wear

Atlas

Jellyfish (this one was really cool too!)

Cheese (there were mice crawling through the holes in the cheese and a knife sticking in the bloc)

It's Not Over 'til the Fat Lady Swings (Get it? LOL!!!!)

It's hard to tell from the picture, but this was really cool. It's a boat floating in the clouds above the Chicago skyline.

Slow Dancing Turtles (I wonder if they have Comcast?)

After our trip to see the sculptures, we came home and watched Evan Almighty. Anyone ever see this? I liked it. it wasn't awesome-great, but I thought it was entertaining, if a little predictable, and the kids liked it. Of course, I never saw Bruce Almighty so I didn't have anything to compare it to.

Makes ya think though- if some guy claimed that God had told him to build an ark and invited you to come along lest you get flushed away in a flood, would you hop onboard? Would you think he was a kook of magnificent proportions? I have to admit that I'd probably think he was in need of some serious psychiatric drugs. Although if I saw the herds of animals standing around (like in the movie) I'd be inclined to take a little cruise aboard the ark, I think.

How about if you were Evan? What if God told you to do something like build an ark in your backyard? You'd probably think you were losing your mind. I know I would. How many of us would listen? This is my problem. I'm usually too busy blabbering away and I forget to take time to listen. Maybe God isn't telling us to build an ark, but if we take the time to listen, I think we might find that He is indeed to trying to tell us something. Perhaps it's just to do something that seems little and insignificant to us, but like they said in the movie, "You can change the world one little Act of Random Kindness at a time."

For any of you who are in the Chicago area and think the snow is SO pretty and nice - we've had storm after storm. And not just and inch or so. Enough each time to make it just plain nasty outside with the traffic, shovelling, etc. Now the kids are thinking they will get a snow day each week. In reality, it take a lot of snow for them to shut down Chicago area schools, unlike down south where they shut them down if they think it's going to snow- I know, they don't have the equpitment to deal with it, I lived there. But now to top it off, it's supposed to be 6 below when we wake up, a high of 1 tomorrow, and lots more snow on monday night, and again thursday night and saturday night! When will it end! It's getting old! The shovelling isn't fun anymore. Andyes, even when you kids get big - like teenager big, you still need to help them with the layers of snow clothes so they don't get wet fast. I can't wait for summer!

Did you say yes to the play because you were interested in it and will enjoy doing? Or because someone else wanted you in the cast? If it was the first reason - go for it, I say. But if it was for the second reason then my opinion is twofold (1) You need to say 'no' at times, and (2) You must be a really nice person to do it for someone else. Whatever the reason I hope you have a great time. What is the play about?

Those snow sculptures are sooo cool! Could you tell me where that was at? We are "celebrating" Valentine's day this weekend since we both have to work next week and since I live in your area that could make for a fun "date"! Thanks!

Hi Dawn - Read this in your spare time, after you learn your lines & revise your book - ok, stop rolling your eyes - "Boundaries", by Drs. Henry Cloud & John Townsend. It's the mom curse - "Sure, I can do that." We did a whole women's study on this at my church. I have a terrible time saying no, and I'm always getting sucked in over my head. Sound familiar? Yep. Keep warm!

Thank you so much for posting those great pictures! I've been wanting to go over to see them but it's too darned cold to venture out so now I can enjoy them in the warm comfort of my home. Thanks Dawn!

This is why you need to wear bangs. I wore them for many years to cover up the word "sucker" on my forehead. The snow sculptures are gorgeous. As for the ark, I'd like to think I have that kind of blind faith, but I'm afraid I would not.

Wow those are neat. I am sure somebody will want to throw something at me, but I am "down south" where they close schools in the event that we just might get 1-2 flakes. Come to think of it we have already had 3 snowdays,lol. Anywho, I would love to see that much snow here for once. I think the most my kids have seen is 6 inches but they were almost too young to remember it.

Yuppers, I say Yes to projects I know I don't have time for but I still get them accomplished...eventually.

Those snow sculptures are amazing. I saw some in Minnesota a few years ago at their Winter carnival when I was visiting my aunt and uncle, I am amazed at what you can do with snow and ice.Yes Evan Almighty was cute. I'd have to concur that I'd think the guy was nuts until I saw the heards of animals coming on their own to the guys yard.Will check in later!!

Hi Dawn, Did'nt we just have a ground Hog day? Just wondering what that myth said. Will we have all this crazy cold snow forever? Will those be slow melting comcast turtles? Kristine in fridged Michigan.

So now your children have seen what is possible to do with snow what type of snow sculpture will you get in your back yard. Also curious how long did the snow fort last, is it still standing? Second I am very thankful to you for your comments on Evan Almighty, I have not yet seen either that or Bruce almighty, but I am told they are both good if you go through the sometimes vulgar and not so good stuff get to the meaning. I think you should do a Manic type contest to get people to tell about their ARK's. Give away a copy of the Almighty movies?

Dawn,As a mom of four, I totally relate to that thought of "Why did I sign up for something else?" It's so hard to keep up with the daily tasks, let alone anything above and beyond. However, I have also found that the payoffs of signing on for those extras can sometimes be well worth the time (and lack of sleep). Thanks for your blog - it lightens up my day.

First, YAY YOU!!! for doing the play. I was wondering what you had decided. We've learned to love community theatre through our daughter's involvement, and if I had the guts to be on stage (and if I had said "no" to being Queen of PTO this year) I'd be doing it too.Another thought...God has an "ark" in mind for all of us. It may not be building an actual ark and waiting for the animals to come, but to some onlookers it seems just as wierd. My "ark":God: I would like you to be open to children.Me: OKGod: I mean a bunch.Me: Um, OK.God: More than what society tells you is "normal." More than what some people deem "acceptable." You will be accused of creating too large of a global footprint. People will look at you as if you are stupid and ask whether you know what "causes that." You may end up in tight living quarters, you will wonder how you'll make ends meet, but I will provide. Trust me.

And He keeps sending gifts, and we keep being grateful. We keep trusting. He keeps providing.

Hi Dawn,Ironically enough, this is "random act of kindness week." We challenged our Sunday School kids to all do acts of random kindness...we'll see how many actually did this! Thanks for your great blog stories!Aimee

The snow sculptures were neat to look at, we have a festival in Frankenmuth MI that's pretty cool (well, usually freezing cold to be exact).

I guess no one really trusts me to do much, because I really don't get asked/volunteered too often. And I'm okay with that.

Bruce Almighty was quite a bit different than Evan Almighty, I think. I thought there was a lot more irreverance towards God in Bruce Almighty (not that Evan Almighty was always reverant, but there was definitely LESS of it...) Guess that's why critics weren't huge fans of it...oh well.

Dawn,When my youngest was about Brooklyn's age, someone gave me this little phrase to memorize:"Why thank you for asking! I am so flattered that you thought of me, but I just can't fit that on my plate right now. Please ask me again."Tho' I have only 4, they are spaced within a 5 year span. That phrase saved my sanity (and probably at least one child/husband/co-committee chair from homicide).Great pics, BTW!!! Thanks for sharing...

Hi Dawn! Thanks for confirming my decision to live in Arizona! No matter how beautiful the snow sculptures are, I have no desire to see them in person. Having grown up near Buffalo, NY I've seen enough snow to last the rest of my life.

Don't let the reviewers' comments get you down. I'm a writer too, although I write text books in which being funny is not encouraged. Sometimes I wonder if the reviewers read the same manuscript I wrote. Just keep in mind that you don't have to make every change the reviewers suggest because:a) this book is your visionb) no matter what you write someone will not be happy with itc) it's good practice to just say "no" to something.

hey dawn I just want to say awsome blog! I know your bissy but I was wondering if you could read my blog. If you can't I totally understand. I just need some incurragment sometimes to keep going. or do you think you could post this link on your sunday shout out? I know its for questions. just please would you pass the link along. thank you so much! http://mygoldenroad.blogspot.com/

Hi Dawn. We share one thing in common anyway and that is I have the same number of kids as you do so I'm hoping that'll get my foot in your door. LOLI'm wondering if you would oblige me and do a TAG game for me? This one is shorter than most. See my blog for details if you are interested.Thanks.Yvonnewww.wisdomthroughtheages.blogspot.com

It was fairly decent outside yesterday but today it's a mere 11 degrees. I've been ready for summer since September.

If I noticed animals standing 2x2 near an ark, I'd hop aboard. Don't have to tell me twice! However, I'd be reluctant to build one. Then again, I can't nail two boards together, so....I seriously doubt God would ask me to build it in the first place. ;)

Hmmm....so maybe that's how I ended up saying yes to chaperoning my 9-year-old son's 2-day overnight "winter weather survival" field trip to the Indiana Dunes this Tuesday & Wednesday.....it must be a "mom thing"!! And yet, there I'll be, freezing my hiney off in the snow and sub-zero wind-chills. *sigh* The things we do because we love our children....

I love the photos of the snow sculptures. Incredible the imagination of some people hey!I havent seen Evan Almighty yet but keep meaning to hire it from the dvd shop, I loved the first one. I think as you were saying about acts of kindness as parents we do this on a daily basis. Think about it we go without just so our kids can have what they would like for birthdays, shoes for high school and the rest of it lol.

hey dawn,i was watching america's funniest home videos, and was thinking that some of yours (tickle me brooklyn, or clay climbing the fridge) might go quite far. i know you're super busy though, i have no kids, so i have time to think about stuff like that. talking about snow sculptures, when i was college, and we had some snow days with several inches of snow. since we (the whole school) had the few days off, there was a snow sculpture contest. some were pretty stinking good. i have no pictures to show of it though.

At the risk of sounding uber-religious, I have to say...these movies produced by Hollywood about the God they supposedly believe in, just get on my stinkin' nerves! They most likely haven't the slightest clue what a walk with the Lord should look like, and for them to produce movies for entertainment suggesting otherwise just really bothers me.

I haven't seen Evan Almighty but I saw Bruce Almighty and it just rubbed me totally the wrong way.

Our preacher spoke today on how we should have compassion for others, lost and saved, and how, like the good Samaritan, if this [having compassion] happens to disrupt our pleasant and orderly little lives, that we should let it, because it's what the Lord would want from us.

Sorry to preach but it was on my heart, and I tend to get on a soapbox about secular 'versions' of Christianity and God. And by the way, Boundaries is a really, REALLY good book, and they also have a Boundaries for Kids book and workbook series. It is AWESOME and helped me tremendously with my 3 girls.

The ice sculptures were beautiful, and once again, your little brood of babies is beautiful also. The Lord has truely blessed you and your husband.

Heh, yep, I have the yes ma'am disease, too. BUT I did say no to being the PTO president at my son's preschool next year. Then again, I just made up and volunteered to run a new fundraiser for it. What can I say?

Love the snow sculptures (for the person who was asking -- they're at Randhurst, in Mt Prospect). My personal favorite was the turtles, but the judges disagred apparently, as they chose the swan looking at its reflection in the water. Good thing I'm not a judge ;)

I'm really hoping that it doesn't snow any more. My blister has a blister from the heavy snow I shoveled last Wed and Thurs. AND I have to go into the office MTW this week (unusual for me), so dealing with lots of snow and lots of traffic will be pure misery. Here's hoping it blows over!

Your kids are so beautiful! I married into a huge family so I can appreciate them and understand there is NO greater love then a mother of 6. I fit right in thank God, but that's the thing...it's not hard to fit in. My hubs is the oldest of 6, he has 4 aunts w/ 4-6 kids each and let's just say his grandma has 40 grandkids. We were lucky enough to give her the 1st great grandbaby! Anyways the sculptures are amazing I'm glad you posted pics! Take care! ;D

How funny you should mention random acts of kindness at a very convenient time of year....

Did you know February 11 - 17th is Random Acts of Kindness Week???? That's starting this Monday! If we all just did 1 random act of kindness every day, imagine what a better world we'd live in, if at least for a week? Who knows, we might just like it and continue it for just a bit longer! Worth a try......

I never saw Even Almighty, but I was made to think about the same thing last fall. Here in the Netherlands, there's a guy that built a replica of Noah's Ark that is about half the length of the original. He tours around the country with it and we took the kids to see it last fall. It was awesome and it really makes you think about it. You can read an English article about it right here:http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article1722872.eceThanks for your blog, it always brings a smile to my face!Iris

I can one up on the Evan Almighty comments - it was shot in and around my city in Virginia! The scene when he's driving down the road and all the animals are popping up and it ends showing a theatre sign? Thats the main street in my town! :)

Thanks for posting the pictures of the beautiful snow sculptures. Those were amazing!

I liked Evan Almighty, too, and wondered some of the same things. I'm sure I'd plug my ears and hum ("na-na-na-I'm not listening") if God showed up and asked me to do something that seemed as crazy as building an ark!

I can so feel where you are coming from with the "yes" word popping out of my mouth all the time. I am almost 35 and in the last 12 years I have veen in charge of MAJOR fundraisers for at least 3, Minor fundraisers those years and all the others. I have ran meetings galore and made numerous phone calls all while running my full child care and raising 3 kids and a lazy husband. In Aug 06 I had gastic bypass and that has changed my world to a few more "no's" to everybody else's stuff but I am doing things to make me more happy and content. That's where I now run into a lighter load of all day child care, working at least 4 hours each night in a factory(gets me out of the house and I make money)deciding to go back to college. I am taking eight credits which is only 2 classes but one is Medical Terminology and everything is online. I also quilt, crochet, knit, cross stitch and read in my spare time. Of course, finding time to run the kids all over is not stressful either. Oh, did I mention that I am filing for divorce and trying to save money by doing all the paperwork myself? I hate paperwork. AAAUGH!!! I will prevail!! and so will you as long as you take your vitamins and get sleep which I have been very bad about.

Gotta post a comment on this one lol...... I got this in an email and all your talk about the ark made me want to add it in :)

In the year 2008, the Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in Orlando,Florida said, "Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated,and I see the end of all flesh before me. Build another Ark and save 2 ofevery living thing along with a few good humans" He gave Noah theblueprints, saying, "You have 6 months to build the Ark before I willstart the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights." Six months later, theLord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard - but no Ark. "Noah!" Heroared, "I'm about to start the rain! Where is the Ark?" "Forgive me,Lord," begged Noah, "but things have changed. I needed a building permit.I've been arguing with the inspector about the need for a sprinklersystem. My neighbors claim that I've violated the neighborhood zoning lawsby building the Ark in my yard and exceeding the height limitations. Wehad to go to the Development Appeal Board for a decision. Then theDepartment of Transportation demanded a bond be posted for the futurecosts of moving power lines and other overhead obstructions, to clear thepassage for the Ark's move to the sea. I told them that the sea would becoming to us, but they would hear nothing of it. Getting the wood wasanother problem. There's a ban on cutting local trees in order to save thespotted owl. I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed thewood to save the owls - but no go! When I started gathering the animals,an animal rights group sued me. They insisted that I was confining wildanimals against their will. They argued the accommodations were toorestrictive, and it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in aconfined space. Then the EPA ruled that I couldn't build the Ark untilthey'd conducted an environmental impact study on your proposed flood. I'mstill trying to resolve a complaint with the Human Rights Commission onhow many minorities I'm supposed to hire for my building crew. Immigrationand Naturalization are checking the green-card status of most of thepeople who want to work. The trades unions say I can't use my sons. Theyinsist I have to hire only Union workers with Ark-building experience. Tomake matters worse, the IRS seized all my assets, claiming I'm trying toleave the country illegally with endangered species. So, forgive me, Lord,but it would take at least 10 years for me to finish this Ark." Suddenlythe skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow stretched acrossthe sky. Noah looked up in wonder and asked, "You mean you're not goingto destroy the world?" "No," said the Lord. "The government beat me toit."